Hey there, I'm Grace, I’m currently pursuing a CS degree at Western University. My aspiration is to be a software developer and I'm actively involved in both Women in CS and Google's Developer Student Club.

1. How did you start networking?

Joining Manny’s Tech Community has been a big help. When I started using Clubhouse during the pandemic, I saw Manny hosting networking sessions and I just joined them. It gave me a chance to chat with other individuals in tech and learn more about product management and tech consulting.

2. How did you find your mentor?

I found mentors through my work experiences and learned about their roles through lunch, coffee chats, etc. There were a few mentorship programs at the companies where I was interning, and college clubs like Women in Tech Society, Western Founders Network, etc. But even without a formal mentorship program, I received mentorship from my peers and coworkers – whether that’s from directly or indirectly supporting me. 

3. What does your job-search process look like?

I usually use my college’s career portal to find local opportunities and try to meet company representatives in person when possible. As for job opportunities outside of my local community, I rely on LinkedIn Jobs.

I’m a basic person, so Google Suite and Microsoft 365 are my go-to tools for everything. To prepare for technical assignments and interviews, I usually consult my class notes and slides to refresh on relevant topics. 

4. What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

As someone who is involved in “everything”, from various volunteering initiatives to student clubs within and beyond college, it was hard for me to pick and choose what to include in my story during interviews. I attribute many things to my journey and who I am today, and I feel I don't do justice when I leave out experiences when describing my story. 

5. What advice would you give to students who want to succeed in their careers?

A lot of the time people have a competitive attitude or almost want to keep a closed mindset, but I think that working with peers and being a part of various communities can be beneficial.

If you've received help in the past I think it's important to continue the cycle and be a mentor for others when you can. There's a quote that says

(This is just a hypothetical usage of the word man here and applies to all individuals regardless of gender identity!) 

Identifying people on your team who support you is also just as important - not everyone is supportive, and if so, it’s okay to distance yourself from negative influences or toxicity when possible.